• Fast-rising construction costs are part of the reason low-cost housing is hard to come by these days. Developer Mike Langton said construction costs have climbed 40 percent in the past two years. By offering tax rebates on affordable housing, the City hopes to encourage construction in that segment, but Langton said the City will have to do more. Langton said the City might have to issue bonds to raise funds to offer developers up-front cash or else offer public land at large discounts.
• The City won’t have to worry about its library system losing state money for its Internet computers. The state legislature declawed a bill that would have stripped funds from library systems where computers were found to have downloaded illegal content. Not fair say local advocates who point out that Jacksonville Public Libraries use the most sophisticated filters available. The legislature apparently agreed. The bill no longer affects funding.
• The Otis Smith Kids Foundation will unveil their first Big Cat jaguar sculpture in the atrium of City Hall on April 5 at 4:30 p.m. The Big Cat is part of a public art project to raise money for Otis Smith Kids, which helps disadvantaged elementary students in Northeast Florida. Rufus Payne Rhythm, a drum line from Rufus E. Payne Elementary School, will make its first public appearance. Mayor John Peyton has been invited to speak and help the children present the sculpture.
• Speaking of Peyton, he and other community leaders in business, education and government have been invited onto the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington. The April 7 day-long event will let guests observe and learn about Navy operations at sea.